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CaptainObvious110 t1_isdam1z wrote

Reply to comment by resdivinae in McPherson Square is a disgrace by [deleted]

What are you basing your information on? Not saying that you are wrong but I'm curious.

I'm of the opinion that there are a number of people who are chronically homeless that are damaged mentally to the point that they will never be able to hold down a job and pay for the expenses of life, especially in a place as expensive as DC.

  1. Don't want to give up drugs or alcohol

  2. Would love to get off the street but just need some help to get the ball rolling.

  3. Combination of 1 & 2. They could be in such a situation where they don't want to get off the street but really aren't in a mental state where they can make those kinds of decisions.

  4. Don't want to be homeless but they are concerned about the condition and safety of shelters. I've never been in that situation or been inside a shelter myself so I am hardly going to speak on something as an authority that I don't know about.

So first of all how many homeless are in DC in the first place? Out of that number how many can become working individuals that can hold down a place of their own.

Those folks have to be dealt with differently from those that simply can't maintain a place of their own even if they had one as they have a different set of needs.

Ok, so I'm thinking an honest appraisal of the current shelters is in order and bring them all up to a store standard that dignifies people and doesn't tolerate unsanitary conditions or stealing or violence. Where support to break addictions are in place and it would be great to have a large facility in a central location so that folks don't feel a need to be on the bus when they have used the bathroom on themselves and pose a health risk to others. If they have vans that can transport them as needed then you eliminate that issue altogether.

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